126 NATURAL HISTORY 



Places near the sea have frequent scuds, 

 that keep the atmosphere moist, yet do 

 not reach far up into the country ; making 

 thus the maritime situations appear wet, 

 when the rain is not considerable. In the 

 wettest years at Plymouth the doctor mea- 

 sured only once 36; and again once, viz. 

 1734, >37 1 14 : a quantity of rain that has 

 twice been exceeded at Selborne in the short 

 period of my observations. Dr. Huxham 

 remarks, that frequent small rains keep the 

 air moist ; while heavy ones render it more 

 dry, by beating down the vapours. He is 

 also of opinion that the dingy, smoky appear- 

 ance in the sky, in very dry seasons, arises 

 from the want of moisture sufficient to let 

 the light through, and render the atmo- 

 sphere transparent; because he had ob- 

 served several bodies more diaphanous 

 when wet than dry ; and did never recollect 

 that the air had that look in rainy seasons. 

 My friend, who lives just beyond the top 

 of the down, brought his three swivel guns 

 to try them in my outlet, with their muz- 

 zles towards the Hanger, supposing that 



